Processing of Filler-gap Dependency in Island Constraints and its Relation to Working Memory for Non-native Speakers of English

Kuan-Jung Huang, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan

Jon-Fan Hu, National Cheng Kung Univeristy, Tainan, Taiwan, ROC

Anastazija Rajkovic, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan

Abstract

Whether non-native speakers’ on-line processing can be
native-like remains a hot issue. Recently many have shown that qualitatively
native-like processing is attainable, especially for learners with high
proficiency. However, most of the studies recruited learners who had been
immersed to the English-speaking country. The current study investigated
processing of filler-gap dependency and island constraints for Chinese learners
of English as a second but foreign language. We also attempted to look into
individual differences by taking different variables into account. The results
showed that native-like active gap-filling strategy positively correlated with L2
proficiency, native-like island effect negatively correlated with age of
acquisition, but neither one correlated with working memory capacity. These
findings lent more support to the grammar-based account for island effects,
though future studies adopting more precise measure of working memory would be
needed. The study also called for further investigation into L1 background on
processing islands in an L2.